Falcao strikes winner for Man Utd

Manchester United returned to the Premier League's
top four for the first time in more than a year as
Radamel Falcao's first United goal proved decisive
against Everton.
Angel Di Maria's calm finish gave the hosts a lead that
survived to half-time as Leighton Baines saw a penalty
saved.
Baines picked out Steven Naismith to nod in an equaliser
and Falcao cleared a Phil Jagielka header off the line.
But Falcao stabbed in from Di Maria's shot to grab the
winner.
Everton, who have won only one of their first seven league
games, could easily have taken something from the game
but Bryan Oviedo, who scored the winner in the fixture last
season, was denied by a tremendous stoppage-time save
from David De Gea.
The Spaniard also had to be alert to keep out a late Leon
Osman effort but, while United will be concerned by their
vulnerability under late pressure, the result and the three
points were paramount.
Their first back-to-back league wins under Louis van Gaal
carry the Dutchman's side into the Champions League
qualification places for the first time since they drew with
Chelsea in predecessor David Moyes' second league match
in charge.
With the international break, their next game is not until 20
October when they are away to West Brom and Van Gaal will
hope his new-look side can consolidate their form to ensure
more comfortable afternoons at Old Trafford.
United had begun in buoyant mood, making early inroads
down the left with record signing Di Maria and Luke Shaw
doubling up on Tony Hibbert, but the opener arrived
courtesy of a delivery from the opposite flank.
Baines could only clear Rafael's cross to Juan Mata, who laid
the ball into the path of Di Maria to apply a composed finish
with his weaker right foot from 15 yards.
Up until that point, Everton's attempts to build attacks had
floundered around Romelu Lukaku with the Belgian short of
support from midfield, but they posed more of a threat after
falling behind.
Lukaku's aerial presence caused concern and he darted
between Paddy McNair and Marcos Rojo to fire over before
Kevin Friend pointed to the spot on the stroke of half-time
after a foul by Luke Shaw.
The former Southampton left-back possibly made contact
with the ball but his clumsy sliding tackle on Tony Hibbert
gave the referee a difficult decision to make.
However, Baines failed for the first time in 15 Premier
League spot-kicks, side-footing an unconvincing shot within
range of De Gea's dive.
Baines made partial amends as he picked out Naismith's
late arrival into the six-yard box following a clever free-kick
routine with Gareth Barry, while anxiety increased around
Old Trafford as Falcao was forced into some last-ditch
defending from Jagielka's effort.
But the Colombian, who had done little to impress in his
fourth appearance since his loan move from Monaco,
pounced on Di Maria's mis-hit to score the decisive goal.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez:
"We're disappointed with the second goal. I thought the
referee made a major, major error. I just don't understand
that decision.
"Steven Pienaar receives a knock and he goes to ground, the
ball is in front of him and the referee is well aware of it. He
is talking with the fourth official.
"It is a clear-cut decision. The law says if the player is on the
ground and the ball is not in a dangerous position you need
to stop the game.
"Manchester United attack and the ball ends up in our net - I
don't think that is fair."